Non-Disclosure Agreement for Freelancers
NDAs for freelancers, without the legal bills.
Sign client NDAs and protect your own methods, rates, and process documents — using a template tailored to solo freelance work.
Free to start — No credit card required
Most freelance NDAs sit on a clipboard at the kickoff call and never get reviewed again — which is fine until a client asks you to use their lawyer's 12-page version. This template is built for the freelancer side of the table: it protects what you actually need to share (their roadmap, brand, customers) without locking you out of the rest of your portfolio.
Why freelancers need a non-disclosure agreement
- Clients increasingly require an NDA before sending briefs or product roadmaps.
- A mutual NDA also protects your rate cards, process docs, and proprietary frameworks.
- Defined survival periods stop confidentiality from haunting you years after the project ends.
- Carve-outs for portfolio rights mean you can still showcase the work (with permission) without breaching the agreement.
Common scenarios
Pre-engagement pitches
Sign a mutual NDA before a prospective client shares product specs, customer data, or unreleased branding for a proposal.
Subcontractor work
When you bring in another freelancer to help with a project, an NDA chain keeps the original client's information protected.
Beta product reviews
Founders showing you an unreleased SaaS tool for design or copy work need confidence the screenshots stay private.
Clauses to pay attention to
Common questions
- Do I really need an NDA for every freelance project?
- Not for every project — but yes for any engagement where the client shares unreleased product details, customer data, internal financials, or proprietary processes. If you wouldn't want a competitor to read it over your shoulder, sign an NDA.
- Can I still show the work in my portfolio?
- Yes, if the NDA includes a portfolio carve-out — and most freelance NDAs should. The carve-out lets you display the deliverables and credit yourself, usually after launch and with prior written permission for any sensitive details.
- Should I use the client's NDA or mine?
- Either works, but read theirs carefully. Client NDAs often include perpetual confidentiality, broad non-solicit clauses, or IP assignments that go beyond the project scope. Bring your own template as a counter-offer if theirs is overreaching.
- How long should the NDA stay in force?
- 12 to 24 months after the project ends is standard for freelance work. Trade secrets can stay confidential indefinitely, but operational details have a natural shelf life — anything longer than 3 years usually isn't enforceable for routine business information.
Ready to create your non-disclosure agreement?
Generate a non-disclosure agreement tailored for freelancers — jurisdiction-aware, fully editable, and ready in minutes.
Free to start — No credit card required